Dameisha Beach: The World’s most crowded Beach

IDAHO: A shooting at a busy fast-food restaurant in the US state of Idaho left three people dead, including the suspected gunman, and injured seven others, authorities said. The attack occurred at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls on Saturday, triggering a major emergency response as police, paramedics and other first responders rushed to the scene. According to local police, the suspect opened fire inside or near the restaurant before the incident came to an end. Officials later confirmed that the gunman was among those killed. The identities of the victims have not yet been released as authorities continue notifying their families. Police Chief Matthew Hicks said officers believe there was only one attacker and assured residents that there is no ongoing threat to the community. Investigators are working to establish the motive behind the shooting and determine the sequence of events that led to the violence. Witnesses described scenes of panic as gunfire erupted. One eyewitness said he saw an armed man carrying a rifle before shots were exchanged. Restaurant employees also rushed to help injured victims, with one worker reportedly pulling a wounded woman to safety while waiting for emergency medical teams. Seven injured people were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Officials have not yet released updates on their conditions. Law enforcement agencies have secured the area and launched a full investigation. Detectives are examining evidence, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to understand what triggered the deadly attack. Public officials praised the swift response of emergency services, saying their actions helped secure the scene and prevent further casualties. Authorities have urged anyone with additional information or video footage to assist investigators as the inquiry continues.

Iran has appointed veteran Revolutionary Guards commander Mohsen Rezaei as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), placing a prominent security figure in a senior position at a sensitive time for the country. Rezaei, 71, replaces Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr as secretary of the council. Zolqadr has instead been appointed as a political adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. The SNSC plays a central role in coordinating Iran’s national security and foreign policy. It is formally chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian and includes senior military, intelligence and government officials. Rezaei brings decades of military and political experience to the position. He joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and became its commander in 1981, when he was only 27. He remained at the helm of the IRGC for 16 years. Much of his tenure coincided with the Iran-Iraq war from 1980 to 1988. During that period, he oversaw the development of the organisation’s land, naval and air capabilities. After leaving the IRGC command, Rezaei remained an influential figure within Iran’s political and security establishment. He later served for more than two decades as secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council. He also entered electoral politics and repeatedly sought the presidency of Iran. From 2021 to 2023, he served as vice president for economic affairs under former President Ebrahim Raisi. Rezaei holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Tehran, although much of his career has been focused on military, security and political affairs. His relationship with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is another significant factor behind his new appointment. Rezaei was named a military adviser to Khamenei after the latter assumed the supreme leadership earlier this year. Khamenei also issued a decree appointing Rezaei as his representative on the SNSC. The decree highlighted Rezaei’s extensive military experience, particularly his role during the Iran-Iraq war. During the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, Rezaei has frequently made public statements on security and foreign policy issues. He has expressed strong opposition to concessions in negotiations with Washington and has repeatedly taken a hard-line position on Iran’s security interests. His appointment therefore places an experienced IRGC commander at the centre of Iran’s national security decision-making structure. Rezaei’s political journey began even before the Islamic Revolution. As a teenager, he became involved in opposition activities against Iran’s Pahlavi monarchy. He was arrested by SAVAK, the Shah’s security service, in 1973.

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have released 15 prisoners and handed them over to the AFC/M23 rebel movement. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the transfer, marking the first known exchange under last year’s peace agreement signed in Qatar. The detainees departed from the government-held city of Beni in a convoy and travelled through Uganda before being delivered to rebels in Rutshuru territory. All 15 individuals explicitly agreed to the transfer after months of bilateral negotiations regarding the finalised list of detainees. The diplomatic step aims to bring relief to separated families while addressing ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was released on Wednesday after being detained by police during a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in New Delhi. His release came as demonstrations over the country’s education system entered a third consecutive day. Gandhi joined protesters to express support for students demanding reforms in India’s examination system. During the protest, he accused the government of ignoring students’ concerns and criticized the police response to demonstrations held earlier this week. The protests are being led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has emerged as a major opposition movement calling for accountability and reforms in the country’s education sector. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and greater transparency in national examinations. The movement has gained significant public attention after a series of examination-related controversies sparked widespread frustration among students and parents across the country. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government remains committed to addressing public concerns. In a statement, he acknowledged the need for accountability and reforms, adding that the government is working to improve the examination system and restore public confidence. Violence erupted during protests in New Delhi after clashes broke out between demonstrators and security forces. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds after some protesters allegedly threw stones at officers. According to police, at least 60 civilians and 118 security personnel were injured during the unrest. Authorities said the situation was later brought under control, although security remained on high alert in several parts of the capital. Demonstrations also spread to other major cities, including Mumbai and Bengaluru, where hundreds of people gathered in solidarity with the student movement. On Wednesday, hundreds of protesters remained camped at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest site, vowing to continue their campaign until their demands are met. The CJP said it would maintain pressure on the government and continue nationwide demonstrations. The protests have become one of the most significant public challenges faced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government since his re-election in 2024. Public anger has been fueled by repeated controversies surrounding India’s examination system. One of the biggest scandals involved the leak of a national medical entrance examination paper, forcing more than two million students to retake the test. Another dispute over the online evaluation of high school examinations further intensified criticism of the education system.